Duffle Bag with Flexible Frame

ABSTRACT

An article of luggage includes a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member extending substantially along the length of a top panel, being attached to the interior of a back panel, and being indirectly attached to the sling strap; resiliently-bendable reinforcing members extending substantially along the length of end panels and being attached to the end panels; and divider panels secured to a base, the divider panels being structured and arranged to provide rigidity to the base. The resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel is structured and arranged to disperse the weight of a load on the article of luggage when loaded with the load; to retain a rectangular parallelepiped shape of the article of luggage; and to minimize strain on an operator selecting mechanism defining an openable and closable access opening to the interior of the article of luggage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to soft-sided luggage. More particularly, the disclosure relates to soft-side luggage (such as duffel bags) for carrying articles such as sporting equipment. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a duffel bag that has a flexible internal support.

BACKGROUND

Athletic equipment bags are becoming increasingly popular in numerous sports because of their functionality and attractiveness to athletes. Known athletic equipment bags are becoming more lightweight and flexible to provide easier transport of the bags and easier transport of the athlete's equipment, clothing, and other gear. In many sports, known athletic equipment bags typically include several compartments, that is, for the sports equipment and for the player's uniform and gear.

Sports bags can be made from soft material (such as cloth or leather), or from a rigid material. A rigid sports bag effectively protects the storage items against impact. Moreover such sport bags can have an outer substantially rigid cover structure to provide support to prevent items within the sport luggage from being damaged by compression.

In recent years, soft-sided luggage has gained popularity and is in many cases replacing traditional hard-sided luggage. The lighter weight and lower cost of such soft-sided luggage have contributed to this popularity, and one of the most common types of such luggage is the duffel bag.

SUMMARY

In some general aspects, a rectangular parallelepiped shaped article of luggage includes a base; a left side end panel connected to the base; a right side end panel connected to the base, a front panel connected to all of the base, the left side end panel and the right side end panel; a back panel connected to the base, to the left side end panel and to the right side end panel; a top panel connected to the front panel, to the back panel, to the left side end panel and to the right side end panel; the top panel including a lid formed therein, the lid including an operator selecting mechanism that is structured and arranged to provide openable and closable access opening to the interior of the article of luggage; a back handle secured to the back panel; a front handle secured to the front panel; and an attached sling strap; all of the panels being of a deformable material; the improvement comprising (i) a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member extending substantially along the length of the top, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member being attached to the interior of the back panel and which is indirectly attached to the sling strap, (ii) resiliently-bendable reinforcing members extending substantially along the length of the end panels, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members being attached to the end panels, and (iii) divider panels secured to the base, the divider panels being structured and arranged to provide rigidity to the base; whereby the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel: a) is structured and arranged to disperse the weight of the load on the article of luggage when loaded; b) is structured and arranged to retain the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the article of luggage and c) is structured and arranged to reduce or minimize strain on the access opening.

Implementations can include one or more of the following features. For example, the article of luggage can be in the form of a duffel bag.

The article of luggage can include an openable and closable lid that extends substantially over the entire top panel and extends partially abutting the front panel. The lid can be integrally and foldably connected to the back panel.

The operator selecting mechanism can be a zipper.

The resiliently-bendable reinforcing members attached to the back panel and the end panels can be fibreglass rods.

The resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel can be one that extends substantially along the length of the interior of the back panel.

The article of luggage can include a support structure such as a spine that is formed of fibreglass.

The resiliently-bendable reinforcing members attached to the end panels can extend substantially along the length of the end panels.

The fabric of the panels can be nylon.

The article of luggage described herein is not rigid, and is not heavy or bulky or difficult to transport. The article of luggage described herein thus reduces costs for transportation and delivery. The article of luggage described herein is more versatile for transportation in a confined space because it is flexible.

Duffel bags ordinarily do not have frames and can be collapsed without significant resistance. The duffel bag is capable of being collapsed when not in use, thereby reducing or minimizing the amount of storage space required. In addition, the soft sides of the duffel bag enable it to be readily manipulated to change the shape thereof and squeeze the duffel bag into tight confined spaces. It is usually flexible, so that it can be can be stuffed into the trunk of an automobile and so that can be carried over the shoulder of an individual.

The “classic” duffel bag can pack a large number of items. Sports equipment may tend to be quite bulky and difficult to transport. For example, a hockey player may require at least one stick, a pair of skates, a helmet, gloves, shoulder and shin pads, elbow pads, pants, shirt, an undershirt, long underwear, and athletic support. Goalies need even more equipment with large goalie pads added to the mix. A soccer player may carry at least one ball, shin guards, water bottle, warm-up pants, shirt, jacket and shoes. Typically, and if at all possible, all of this equipment will be carried in a large nylon or canvas carry bag.

The duffel bag described herein enables the user to easily find a particular piece of equipment within this large carry bag without requiring the user to rummage through all of the equipment and without requiring the user to remove the equipment from the bag while a search is made for the desired article.

The duffel bag described herein has a geometric structure to it, and this geometric structure is more easily maintained by the reinforcing members, and so the internal equipment is not as easily dis-organized. The duffel bag described herein is easier to pack because it retains a fixed geometric form.

The duffel bag described herein includes soft sides that do not continually cave in when a person is trying to pack articles into the bag or remove articles from the bag. This is due to the fact that there is support for the side walls of the bag. This reduces frustration and avoids “stuffing” articles into the duffel bag rather than neatly packing them into place. This design therefore promotes orderly packing or unpacking since one hand is not required to be used to hold the bag open, and a person can use both hands to manipulate the articles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of one embodiment of an article of luggage such as a duffel bag;

FIG. 2 is a back isometric view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1, but is shown without the sling strap;

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are front isometric views of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1, in which:

FIG. 9A shows the end panel support straps and end panel support rods attached in a diagonal configuration as viewed from the left;

FIG. 9B shows the end panel support straps and end panel support rods attached in a vertical configuration as viewed from the left;

FIG. 10 is an interior isometric view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1, showing the interior dividers as viewed from the left;

FIG. 11 is an interior isometric view of the embodiment of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1, without the interior dividers, as viewed from the top;

FIGS. 12A-12E are a series of views showing the formation of the interior structure of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1, in which:

FIG. 12A shows the insertion of selected interior panels into the interior of the duffel bag as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12B shows the securing of the selected inserted interior panels as shown in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C shows the insertion of another selected interior panel; and

FIG. 12D shows the securing of the inserted selected interior panel as shown in FIG. 12C;

FIG. 12E shows one exemplary interior final set-up; and

FIGS. 13A-13C are a series of interior isometric views of the design for a duffel bag with flexible frame showing some typical storage in which:

FIG. 13A shows the insertion of selected pieces of equipment;

FIG. 13B shows the placement of the selected pieces of equipment shown in FIG. 13A; and

FIG. 13C shows the placement of other selected items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIGS. 1 through 8, an exemplary article of luggage such as a duffel bag 10 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The duffel bag 10 includes a base 12 (see FIG. 6) and a left side end panel 14 (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 7), which is connected to the base 12. The left side end panel 14 includes an upper carrying handle 16. The duffel bag 10 includes a right side end panel 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 8), which is connected to the base 12. The right side end panel 18 includes an upper carrying handle 20. The duffel bag 10 includes a front panel 22, which is connected to the base 12, the left side end panel 14, and the right side end panel 18. The duffel bag 10 includes a back panel 24 (see FIGS. 2 and 4), which is connected to the base 12, to the left side end panel 14 and to the right side end panel 18. The duffel bag 10 includes a top panel 26, which is foldably connected to the back panel, at fold 28 (see FIG. 2). The top panel 26 merges with the front panel 22. The top panel 26 includes a lid 30 formed therein, the lid 30 including an operator selecting mechanism (for example, a zipper 32), which is structured and arranged to provide an openable and closable access opening to the interior of the duffel bag 10. The top panel 26 is, as noted above, foldably connected to the back panel 24 at fold 28 at the ends 34, 36 of the zipper 32.

The left side end panel 14 and right side end panel 18 each include two diagonally-placed reinforcing straps 116, which are stitched thereon.

The back panel 24 includes two longitudinally-spaced apart openings 38, 40 through which extend connecting straps 42, 44 each terminating with a fastening ring 46, 48. A sling strap 50 is provided with terminal fastening clips 52, 54. The back panel 24 can also be provided with an envelope 56 within which can be placed an ID tag (not shown).

The front panel 22 includes two spaced-apart longitudinally-extending reinforcing straps 58, 60, which are stitched thereon, and to the upper reinforcing strap 58 is secured, as by rivets 62, a carry strap 64, which is provided with a hand grip 66. Similarly, the back panel 24 includes two spaced-apart longitudinally-extending reinforcing straps 68, 70, which are stitched thereon. To the upper reinforcing strap 68 is secured, as by rivets 72, a carry strap 74, which is provided with a hand grip 76.

The lid 30 can include a top pocket 124, which is stitched thereon. The top pocket 124 includes an operator selecting mechanism (for example, a zipper 32), which is structured and arranged to provide an openable and closable access opening to the interior of the top pocket 124.

The base 10 and the end panels 14, 18 are preferably formed of suitable mesh material, for example, 600 Denier Nylon or polyester. The front panel 22, the back panel 24, the top panel 26, and the lid 30 are preferably formed of suitable material, for example, 600 Denier Nylon, polyester, polyester backed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), canvas, or leather. The straps, namely upper carrying handles 16, 20, the carry straps 64, 74, and the sling strap 50 are preferably formed of suitable material, for example, 600 Denier Nylon, polyester, canvas, or leather.

As seen in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the article of luggage includes resiliently-bendable reinforcing members, such as rods 118 (FIG. 9A), 122 (FIG. 9B) on the left end panel 14 and right end panel 18. In one configuration (see FIG. 9A), supporting straps 116 are attached diagonally to the left end panel 14 and to the right end panel 18, and the resiliently-bendable reinforcing rods 118 are secured to the left end panel 14 and right end panel 18 by the supporting straps 116. In another possible configuration (see FIG. 9B), supporting straps 120 are longitudinally spaced apart and substantially vertically attached to the left and right end panels 14, 18, and the resiliently-bendable reinforcing rods 122 are secured to the left end panel 14 and right end panel 18 by the supporting straps 120.

As seen in FIG. 10, the front panel 22 has been cut away to reveal a portion of the interior structure of the duffel bag 10. As seen, the interior structure of the duffel bag 10 includes rigid dividers, made of a suitable lightweight material, for example, PVC. The rigid dividers include a full transverse divider 78, a partial longitudinal divider 80 extending from the interior of the left side panel 14 to the full transverse divider 78, and a partial transverse divider 82 extending from the interior of the front panel 22 to the partial longitudinal divider 80.

Also seen in FIG. 10 is a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 such as a rod, which extends in a generally longitudinal direction substantially along the length of the interior of the back panel 24. The resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 extends generally longitudinally, but it is noted that it may not be perfectly aligned with the longitudinal direction defined between the side end panels. Thus, the member 84 could be parallel with the longitudinal direction defined between the side end panels or within a reasonable angle, for example, within 20° or within 10° or within 5°, of the longitudinal direction. The member 84 extends substantially along the length of the interior of the back panel 24 in that it extends at least along the distance between the side end panels to enable the transfer of a pulling force applied to the sling strap 50 to the member 84 and not to the back panel 24. In particular, more pulling force applied to the sling strap 85 is transferred to the member 84 than to the back panel 24. For example, the member 84 can extend at least along 50% of or at least along 75% of the distance between the side end panels.

The resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 is secured to the interior of the back panel 24 at the ends 86, 88 thereof with enveloping enclosures 90, 92 and along its intermediate length by one or more spaced-apart clips 94. Also seen in FIG. 10 are the connecting straps 42, 44 with their terminal fastening rings 46, 48, which are to be connected to the fastening clips of the sling strap 50. In this way, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 is attached, either indirectly or directly to at least the sling strap so that any pulling force applied to the sling strap 50 is mostly transferred to the member 84 and less of the pulling force applied to the sling strap 50 would be applied to the panels 22, 24. The resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 is formed of any suitable material having the requisite strength and light weight. Examples include fibreglass, PVC, high density polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc.

FIG. 11 shows the inside of the duffel bag 10 before the insertion of the dividers 78, 80, and 82. The interior is provided with retaining clips 96. The inside of the base 12 includes a fastening device, for example, a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro 100, to assist in securing dividers 78, 80, and 82 to the base 12.

FIG. 12A shows the insertion of the dividers 78, 80, and 82 into the interior of the duffel bag 10. These dividers are shown to be held in place by cooperation between clip rings 102 on the dividers 78, 80, and 82 and the retaining clips 96 on the interior of left side panel 12 and the back panel 24, and the fastening device 100 on the base 12.

FIG. 12B shows the interior of the duffel bag 10 after the insertion of the dividers 78, 80, and 82 into the interior of the duffel bag 10, and after the securing thereof in place as previously described with reference to FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C shows the insertion of a skate carpet 104 in the form of a horizontal plate 106 and two terminal vertical outer walls 108 that are foldably integral with the horizontal plate 106, into a vacant space within the interior of the duffel bag 10.

FIG. 12D shows the skate carpet 104 secured in place by means of fastening devices 100 positioned on the exterior of walls 108 and on the interior of left side panel 14 as well as on the interior of divider 78.

FIG. 12E shows final appearance of one embodiment of the interior of the duffel bag 10 after the insertion of the skate carpet 104 as previously described with reference to FIGS. 12C and 12D.

FIG. 13A shows the insertion of various items of sport equipment 110 into the interior of the duffel bag 10 as was shown in FIG. 12E.

FIG. 13B shows appearance of the interior of the duffel bag 10 after the insertion of those various items of sport equipment 110 as was shown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C shows appearance of the interior of the duffel bag 10 after the insertion of additional items of sport apparel, namely socks 112 and a towel 114, using the reinforcing rod 84 as a hanging spot. Thus, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 is displaced by a distance from the interior of the back panel 24 by enough distance such that the items of sports apparel can fit between the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 and the interior of the back panel 24. The resiliently-bendable reinforcing member 84 extends at least 75% along the entire length of the back panel 24.

By providing a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member extending substantially along the length of the back panel or the top panel, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member being attached to the interior of the back panel and indirectly attached to the sling strap, and by providing resiliently-bendable reinforcing members in the end panels, and by providing divider panels secured to the base, the divider panels being structured and arranged to provide rigidity to the base, the following advantages are provided. Since the resiliently-bendable reinforcing rod is so structured and arranged, it disperses the weight of the load on the duffel bag when loaded; it retains the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the duffel bag; and it reduces or minimizes strain on the zipper.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the article of luggage can lack wheels and a rigid handle that would permit the article to be transported by rolling. In this way, the article of luggage is picked up and transported by the one or more straps being held by a user. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of luggage comprising: a base; a left side end panel connected to the base; a right side end panel connected to the base; a front panel connected to the base, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a back panel connected to the base, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a top panel connected to the front panel, the back panel, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; the top panel including a lid formed therein; the lid including an operator selecting mechanism that is structured and arranged to define an openable and closable access opening to the interior of the article of luggage; a back handle secured to the back panel; a front handle secured to the front panel; a strap attached to at least one of the panels; all of the panels being of a deformable material; a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the interior of the back panel to extend along at least a length of the back panel, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member being attached to the strap, whereby the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member: a. is structured and arranged to disperse the weight of the load on the article of luggage when loaded; b. is structured and arranged to retain a geometric shape of the article of luggage; and c. is structured and arranged to reduce strain on the access opening; resiliently-bendable reinforcing members extending along a length of the end panels, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members being attached to the end panels; and divider panels secured to the base, the divider panels being structured and arranged to provide rigidity to the base.
 2. The article of luggage of claim 1 in the form of a duffel bag.
 3. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the openable and closable lid extends substantially over the entire top panel and extends partially abutting the front panel.
 4. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members comprise fibreglass rods.
 5. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the operator selecting mechanism comprises a zipper.
 6. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel extends substantially along the length of the interior of the back panel.
 7. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the lid is integrally and foldably connected to the back panel.
 8. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein support structure comprises a spine that is formed of fibreglass.
 9. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members attached to the end panels extend substantially along the length of the end panels.
 10. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the fabric of the outer bag is a nylon outer shell.
 11. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the interior of the back panel is indirectly attached to the strap.
 12. An article of luggage comprising: a base; a left side end panel connected to the base; a right side end panel connected to the base; a front panel connected to the base, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a back panel connected to the base, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a top panel connected to the front panel, the back panel, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; the top panel including a lid formed therein; the lid including an operator selecting mechanism that is structured and arranged to define an openable and closable access opening to the interior of the article of luggage; a back handle secured to the back panel; a front handle secured to the front panel; a strap attached to at least one of the panels; all of the panels being of a deformable material; a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the interior of the back panel to extend along a direction that extends from the side end panels and at least 75% of the entire length of the back panel, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member being attached to the strap, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member being displaced by a distance from the interior of the back panel such that a load can fit between the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member and the interior of the back panel; and resiliently-bendable reinforcing members extending along at least some of the length of the end panels, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members being attached to the end panels.
 13. The article of luggage of claim 12, wherein the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members extending along the end panels are arranged along a diagonal direction.
 14. The article of luggage of claim 12, wherein the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel interior is indirectly attached to the strap.
 15. The article of luggage of claim 12, wherein a pulling force applied to the strap is transferred to the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel.
 16. The article of luggage of claim 15, wherein more pulling force is transferred to the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the back panel than is transferred to the back panel.
 17. The article of luggage of claim 15, further comprising rigid divider panels secured to the base and extending upward from a plane of the base.
 18. An article of luggage comprising: a base; a left side end panel connected to the base; a right side end panel connected to the base; a front panel connected to the base, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a back panel connected to the base, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a top panel connected to the front panel, the back panel, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel; a strap attached to at least one of the panels; all of the panels being of a deformable material; and a resiliently-bendable reinforcing member attached to the interior of the back panel to extend along a direction that extends from the right and left side end panels and at least some of the entire length of the back panel, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member being attached to the strap, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing member defining a space between an interior side of the back panel and the reinforcing member.
 19. The article of luggage of claim 18, further comprising resiliently-bendable reinforcing members extending along at least some of the length of the end panels, the resiliently-bendable reinforcing members being attached to the end panels.
 20. The article of luggage of claim 18, wherein the strap is attached to one or more of the front panel, the back panel, the left side end panel, and the right side end panel. 